First live footage from Everest
THE 8848 METRE PEAK of Mt Everest seems like a long way to go to prove a point, but five Aussies are making the journey to raise money for the fight against bowel cancer. To help bring attention to the expedition they are transmitting the first ever live stream video from the climb.
The three behind the Australian Geographic Society-sponsored expedition are Sydneysiders Stephen Bock, Peter Wells and Darren Robertson. Along with fellow Australian amateur climbers Brad Jackson and his wife Sandy Hoby (who has herself beaten bowel cancer) the team is being led up the mountain by Ronnie Muhl — an Everest stalwart who successfully scaled the north face of the mountain in 2007.
After leaving for Kathmandu on 26 March, the team has already completed several high altitude treks in order to acclimatise themselves with the extreme conditions. On 10 May they headed down to Deboche (3700 m) to rest but are preparing to return to base camp (5334 m) for the final push to the summit later this month.
Peter, an experienced adventurer, was supported by Australian Geographic in 2005 to climb Mt Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth-highest peak. For Steve, a Sydney-based real estate agent, the climb is a chance to live out a life long dream. For others such as Darren Robertson, it’s a chance to face one of life’s big adventures and potentially inspire others to do the same.
Going a long way towards inspiring others are live stream videos the team periodically transmit from camps and chasms along the way. The group has become the first in a history (of over 2700 climbers who have tackled the summit of Everest) to send live video streams from their journey. The footage really hits home what these very brave, ordinary Aussies are doing.
The gruelling trek to the summit is sure to test both the physical and mental strength of the team. On a good day they can expect temperatures of -26°C with oxygen levels of a third what we are used to.
To find out more about the trek or to donate, check out the website.
LINKS
Mt Everest Trek: AG’s editor ventures into the Himalayas
